photo by Jan Salazar for Kenosha Startup Week
Downtown Kenosha, Inc. (DKI) is seeking motivated changemakers to join our board of directors to serve a 2-year term on our board beginning in 2021.
Downtown Kenosha Inc is a private non-profit organization that is accredited through Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Main Street Program. This volunteer position will work closely with our mission to foster economic revitalization and promotion of small businesses within our downtown business improvement district.
Board meetings take place monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4pm-5pm and attendance is virtual, as well as your service in one of our committees, which meet based on project/event requirements.
If interested in serving our community please fill out our Board of Directors Interest form and we will be in touch with additional information.
SCORECARD: DOWNTOWN KENOSHA
June 1 – December 31, 2020
Downtown Kenosha Inc. (DKI) has developed a set of primary performance metrics to track the overall performance of DKI and of the Downtown Kenosha Area in regards to economic development. The DKI Scorecard not only serves as a visual to our partners but also a representation of the fiscal year and our progress over time.
Business Support
As part of its mission for economic revitilization, DKI tracks several business performance categories. DKI will visit businesses periodically to check in or offer specific consultative services. The meetings are a valuable tool to build relationships, and aid in business recruitment and retention efforts for the Downtown.
Facade Improvement Program
Covid-19 Small Business Recovery Fund
This unique grant program became an initiative for DKI in April of 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with this financial assistance, DKI became the communication hub for its small businesses needs.
Newsletters to our business district showed an Open Rate at 78% average with Click Through Rate at over 60%; these communications detailed grants, updates from city and county health and government announcements, as well as covered state news and adaptive tips for pivoting.
Built a Covid Response Page with resources on the website and saw 2,600 unique site visits.
DKI also served on the Finance Committee for the City of Kenosha/Kenosha Area Business Alliance City Covid Recovery Progam for its downtown businesses after developing guidelines for relief packaging. $250,000 was distributed to Downtown through this program.
Marketing & Events
DKI markets downtown to a broad audience: communicating business opportunities as well as building a supportive Downtown culture through multiple media channels. We track web and social media statistics to help us better understand our message’s reach.
Event Satisfaction
DKI has implemented a new system to gather feedback from downtown business owners on our events. DKI surveyed participating businesses and to date, the event satisfaction weighted average ranks 4.13/5 stars.
Priorities
DKI’s top three priorities for 2020
Covid-19 Support
Financial and Business Development SupportCovid-19 Support
Providing up-to-date communication channels for business support. Offer relief funding through fundraising initiatives
Riot Recovery
Fundraising, Clean Up Initiatives, Future PlanningRiot Recovery
Expand our fiscal resources, engage catalytic projects, and continue committee growth to give back to the community
Fundraising Initiatives
Expand fundraising opportunities for organization and future projectsFundraising Initiatives
Expand our annual campaign to help expand Facade Program, events, and projects to professionalize and expand the mission of DKI